The health of disgraced Pakistani nuclear scientist Dr A Q Khan is failing and he should be given better medical care, says a petition filed in the Pakistani Supreme Court .

"His health is declining. He suffers from high blood pressure and had a mild heart attack about two months ago. The facilities for his treatment are not reliable," the petition, filed by lawyer Mohammed Ikram Chaudhry, on behalf of one Hassamul Haq yesterday, said.

The government, however, said Khan, at present under house detention, undergoes regular medical checkups and is in good health.

Chaudhry has demanded constitution of a medical board, with two doctors of Khan's choice, to examine his health.

Claiming that Khan's health was "constantly declining", the petition said the top scientist recently had high blood pressure, suffered a stroke and fell unconscious. Chaudhry also claimed that Khan was "psychologically disturbed" by his confinement.